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Highlights
of Revisions to WTC Investigation Plan Based on Public Comments
NIST
requested and received public comments on the scope of its plan for
the World Trade Center (WTC) Building and Fire Safety Investigation.
Comments were received via mail, fax, e-mail, and the presentations
and remarks made during the Public Meeting held in New York City on
June 24, 2002. After reviewing these comments, the following key modifications
were made to the WTC Investigation Plan:
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Human
subjects will
be given careful and rigorous consideration, particularly regarding
the privacy and confidentiality of their statements. NIST is committed
to carrying out the investigation with the highest technical and professional
standards, treating all those who experienced this disaster firsthand
with kindness and sensitivity, and proceeding in accordance with all
legal and administrative requirements.
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The
role of floor wardens and fire safety directors has been added
to Project 7 and Project 8 on Emergency Responder
Technologies and Guidelines.
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Analysis of stairwell requirements and performance were already
included in Project 1 on Analysis of Building and Fire Codes
and Practices, Project 5 on Reconstruction of Thermal and Tenability
Environment, Project 7, and Project 8. An analysis of the
pressure resistance of the stairwell construction in the WTC towers
has been added to Project 2 on Baseline Structural Performance
and Aircraft Impact Damage Analysis.
There
were a number of comments related to the following topics, which were
already included in the plan, but are restated here for clarification:
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Numerous detailed comments received on specific technical issues
requiring study will be included in the appropriate investigation
projects, although these details are not specifically included in
the plan document.
There were many
comments related to the Research and Development (R&D) Program and
the Dissemination and Technical Assistance Program (DTAP), which reinforce
the importance of these programs for the public benefit. The following
points are presented to clarify the scope, plans, and relationship of
the R&D and DTAP Programs to the WTC Investigation:
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An
outline of the R&D Program can be found on the NIST WTC website
http//:wtc.nist.gov under Key News
and Updates, click on the 5th bullet for Introduction to Proposed
NIST investigation by Jack Snell.
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NIST
is receiving $16 million for the WTC Investigation. NIST redirected
$2 million in FY2002 to provide partial support for the overall
response plan. There is also a $2 million increase requested in
the FY2003 President's budget for the R&D and DTAP Programs.
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Many
comments cited the exclusive focus of the investigation on WTC buildings
1, 2, and 7. Study of the other WTC and surrounding buildings of interest,
however, is included in the R&D Program, which will address the
notable responses to impact and/or fire loads in the other buildings.
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There
were several requests to consider analyzing other building types relative
to the WTC Towers. The R&D Projects on Prevention of Progressive
Collapse and Fire Safety Design and Retrofit of Structures will include
steel and concrete buildings with frame, tube, or shear wall systems.
In
addition to comments on the WTC Investigation and R&D and DTAP Programs,
numerous offers were made to provide information and support to the Investigation.
This public support is greatly appreciated. NIST will contact individuals
and parties if their expertise can assist in carrying out specific investigation
projects. NIST also may solicit specific information from the public during
the course of the investigation.
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